Daily digest, 13 August 2026

Priority 1. UAVs, C-UAS, military AI and new technologies

Strikes on Novorossiysk — the largest combined attack on the Black Sea Fleet

Zelensky confirmed: for the first time, a single operation used the jet-powered drones Palianytsia, Peklo and Bars, Dovhyi Neptun cruise missiles, MICH, Fire Point, Ramzai, Sichen, Trast, Kharyok, Bober, Liutyi and Dovbush drones, and the Sarhan and Mamai USVs — according to the AFU General Staff, four warships were damaged: the frigates Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen (hits in the area of the Kalibr launchers and radar systems), a Buyan-M small missile ship, and the patrol ship Vasily Bykov. The SBU separately confirmed hits on a 30N6E radar of the S-300 system, a mobile fire group and the tunnel portal of the Grushovaya–Sheskharis oil depot. According to an analysis by Exilenova+/KiberBoroshno, a Project 266M minesweeper, the research vessel Viktor Cherokov, a Project 22160 patrol ship, the intelligence ship Priazovye and a dry cargo ship were also hit. The NKKhP grain terminal (12% of Russian grain exports) and the Sheskharis oil terminal have suspended operations — the FOB price of Black Sea wheat has already risen, while domestic Russian grain prices fell by ~30%.

[TECH] Ubiquiti AirMAX — unauthenticated RCE from 1.7 km away

At Black Hat USA 2026 and DEF CON 34, CVE-2026-21639 and CVE-2026-21638 were disclosed — a full takeover of Ubiquiti radio bridges (NanoStation, PowerBeam, Rocket Prism and others, including the airFiber/UBB family) without network access, using only an over-the-air signal. The vulnerability is in Linux kernel 2.6.32; the holes are ~10 years old. Mass-deployed civilian and military communication links are affected, including those used on the line of contact. The post contains the full exploitation scheme, the list of firmware versions and protection recommendations.

Monokhrom S-71M — Nvidia Jetson-based machine vision confirmed

Ukraine's HUR found in the missile wreckage an Nvidia Jetson Orin module performing terminal guidance using computer vision algorithms — similar modules have already been seen in the V2U and the Shahed-236/Geran-2. S-71M: 250 kg warhead, speed 500–600 km/h, range 350–400 km, carrier aircraft Su-57, used singly since the start of 2026.

Ukraine's MICH 2000 — the SBU's "Shahed-like" drone de-anonymized

An investigation by Oboronka and texBPLA uncovered a drone previously known as Batyar-S: it was built on the basis of the Chinese ZTK-150 (originally it was to be imported; after China's ban, production was localized). In service since fall 2024, only with the SBU's Alfa Special Operations Center. 8 variants, range up to 2000 km, warhead 25–60 kg, price $48K at 85% localization. Used in strikes on Moscow, on Tu-95MS bombers at Engels-2, on Wildberries in Ryazan, on EW near Gelendzhik, on a Baltic Fleet naval base; the most massive attack was on the port of Ust-Luga (>20 drones got through). Production is 6K/year; the MICH+ is planned (70 kg warhead, 600 km range).

update Gerbera seeker — the "Geran-ization" continues

The new version is larger, with a more powerful engine and propeller and better build quality — it can carry a heavier warhead or loiter longer for reconnaissance (the material spread via VictoryDrones, texBPLA, mil_hub).

A new Russian kamikaze UAV with a double anti-tank-mine warhead

Milinua and texBPLA report a previously unknown drone type carrying two TM anti-tank mines — it was captured on camera by a Ukrainian interceptor.

Ukrainian interceptors: Kolibri-i10 codified, Last Shadow T200 sets records

Ukraine's MoD has codified TAF Industries' Kolibri-i10 interceptor, based on the Kolibri 10 FPV — reinforced frame, more powerful motors, high-speed propellers. Separately, Ukrainska Bavovna tested the Last Shadow T200 fixed-wing interceptor: speed 300 km/h, endurance 40–60 min, a range record of 122 km with video/link maintained, protection against video-signal spoofing.

[TECH] The Martyshka anti-aircraft drone launched from a Katran system launcher

The launch was caught on video — the system is from PPSh Laboratory. Analysis of the concept: anti-aircraft drones in mobile fire groups provide interception at considerably longer range than machine-gun fire and do not depend on the firing sector near populated areas.

[TECH] The Zanoza airborne relay — RHCP polarization and diversity reception

A technical breakdown: right-hand circular polarization instead of linear is invariant to the drone's roll/turn, and a two-antenna diversity system compares RSSI/BER in real time and switches to the best signal — this solves the problem of losing video during maneuvers through a relay at long distances.

The Structural Battery Company (UK) — the battery as a structural element of the "Drone Spine" frame

Energy is stored directly in the structural elements, and a separate heavy battery pack is not needed — a gain in range/payload of up to 50% is claimed. In testing: a heavy 600 kg UAV, a 400-volt structural battery, a 45% mass reduction, 220 kg carried over 100+ km.

Russian tactic: FPV drones dropped from small balloons + Starlink Mini

On the Melitopol–Novoalekseevka highway, this technique was observed: instead of Hornets (in short supply), FPV drones with Starlink are dropped from small aerostats — they are hard to spot, appear without warning, have a shorter range, but almost every Ukrainian drone already carries a Starlink Mini terminal.

Romashka 0.8 — update of the AI detector of vehicles in UAV video

Built-in screen capture without OBS, manual selection of the analysis area, filtering of false positives by telemetry, full-screen mode, retroactive recording of the feed, a heat map and comparison of passes — a free program of Russian development.

The Pentagon opens 5 test ranges for UAVs/missiles/counter-drone systems

The time to gain access to testing is being cut from 12–18 months to ~30 days; one startup has already been cleared in 13 days.

Russian Geran production figures

According to Ukraine's HUR, ~6.2K Geran kamikaze drones of various versions have been stockpiled; Geran-4/5 production is ~3K/month, Geran-2 is 2.8K/month (93/day). Geran-3 production has been halted in favor of the faster Geran-4 (up to 500 km/h, warhead up to 90 kg, a new turbojet with 160 kgf thrust, range increased from 600 to 850 km).

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What to watch

• Massive strike on Novorossiysk — for the first time, 12+ types of Ukrainian strike assets were coordinated simultaneously; Russia's Black Sea Fleet is losing its last protected port, and the Russian Navy's Mediterranean group has effectively ceased to exist (Turkey's closure of the Bosporus + loss of logistics via Syria).

• The Ubiquiti AirMAX vulnerability — widespread, affects military and civilian communication infrastructure worldwide, exploitable from kilometer distances without authentication.

• Generational change of the Geran — the shift from Geran-3 to Geran-4 reflects adaptation to the emergence of Ukrainian interceptors (the P1-SUN is effective against the "three" but powerless against the "four" because of the speed difference).

• Golden Dome on the verge of a halt — the budget deadlock in the US (funding is not part of the regular defense budget and depends on reconciliation) threatens to freeze the program if a continuing resolution is adopted.

• Logistics crisis in the Russian Armed Forces — according to an OSINT estimate (Jompy), ~14.5K trucks/day are needed to supply the force grouping; the Unmanned Systems Forces claim to have destroyed 656 trucks in the operational depth in July.

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Military space and space-based data

Golden Dome testing is moving into space: SpaceX and Northrop Grumman have carried out the first key tests — transmitting data from sensors to an interceptor and testing spacecraft engines. Program director Gen. Guetlein confirmed: radars, launchers, space-based interceptors, a hypersonic tracking system and a space data transport network are all "on contract," and two successful classified tests have been conducted. However, the program's budget ($185 billion) is not part of the standard defense budget — under a continuing resolution (CR) funding will not come through, and, according to Guetlein himself, "Golden Dome will cease to exist" (TWZ).

A discussion of the counter-space concept (US, stratdela): against "proliferated" constellations (10K satellites), a direct ASAT strike is impractical — the emphasis is shifting to cyberattacks, directed-energy weapons (low cost per shot) and strikes on the limited number of ground control stations.

Vantor satellites recorded damage to the Kalibr launchers on the frigates in Novorossiysk — rapid satellite reconnaissance has become a standard tool for verifying strikes in real time (NASA FIRMS also detected fire hotspots at port facilities).

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Under the radar

Chinese company AiMOGA — 2000 Mornine humanoid robots delivered worldwide

Deliveries to Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa — an assistant robot for hospitals, car dealerships, museums; the "uncanny valley" was avoided by dropping eyes (a face visor). By the end of the year China plans to deliver up to 50K humanoid robots of all models, and over 100K in 2027. Low reach (25 forwards), but a significant indicator of the scale of China's dual-use robotics industry.

Virginia Block V — specialization for seabed operations

The US Navy has confirmed: one of the future nuclear submarines will forgo the standard VPM module (4 Tomahawk tubes) in favor of equipment for seabed reconnaissance and manipulation — a potential successor to the unique USS Jimmy Carter, including the mission of damaging undersea communication cables.

The Mediterranean without Russian Navy warships for the first time in a long while

An analysis by Russian Forces Spotter: the loss of Tartus and Hmeimim + Turkey's closure of the Bosporus and Dardanelles have deprived Russia of the ability to maintain a significant group in the region — only occasional ship transits.

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Priority 2. Military innovation (Ukraine, Europe, NATO)

The Ukrainian-American Combined Resolve exercise in Germany: drone operators of the 412th Nemesis Brigade "routed" a notional US Army brigade (the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division) — FPV drones and drops knocked out vehicles faster than the organizers could return them to the scenario; after two weeks of repetitions, the Americans mastered dispersal, camouflage and EW, and their performance improved markedly (WSJ).

A Ukrainian-Danish JV: Ukrainian Unmanned Technologies and Vidar Industries will set up production of the Ravlyk (UMP-2) UGV in Denmark — capacity of over 3000 vehicles/year with adequate funding; the Danish government will fund ~1000 systems for transfer to the AFU. Platform: 500 kg payload, towing a 4.5 t trailer, range 40 km, 35° climb.

Ukraine's MoD has included UGVs and heavy middle-strike drones in the Basic Supply Level — stable deliveries to units on the line of contact and to corps for strikes in the operational depth.

Vyriy Industries is the first Ukrainian deftech company to raise capital through bonds (UAH 2–4 billion via the Inzhur MilTech fund).

Germany is expanding the BND's powers: agents will gain the right to hack foreign IT systems and conduct sabotage abroad "in the interests of national defense" (yigal_levin).

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Priority 3. Conflict developments and forecast signals

• Ukrainian troops (Air Assault Forces) have liberated 26 settlements in the Oleksandrivka direction since January — a territory of 745 km² (according to DeepState, the actual reduction of the occupied zone is smaller and was partly already reflected on the map earlier).

• Dronnitsa-2026 was postponed because of specific intelligence about a planned AFU strike during the gathering — a combined attack with ballistic missiles.

• Putin: Russia will respond "in kind" to seizures of merchant vessels, including in the Pacific Fleet's zone — the Pacific Fleet commander reported a detailed analysis of traffic (379 vessels from unfriendly countries in April–August).

• Vance demanded that Zelensky stop strikes on the CPC and on tankers carrying Kazakh oil — Kyiv agreed in exchange for the hope of obtaining a license to produce Patriot interceptors.

• The gasoline shortage in Russia is taking on structural features: the Orenburg region is introducing sales on odd/even days, limits, and a ban on filling canisters.

• Ukraine's HUR: Zaporizhstal has been halted, but claims of the "complete destruction" of the blast furnaces have not been independently confirmed — part of Ukrainian metallurgy (Kametstal) continues to operate.

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What are our Chinese comrades up to?

• A prototype star sensor for navigating hypersonic vehicles under GPS/BeiDou jamming has been tested — star recognition accuracy >99% in normal conditions and >80% under strong aerodynamic interference, attitude accuracy <5 arcseconds (wingsofwar).

• A new box-shaped module in place of the gun mount has been spotted on an experimental PLA stealth corvette — presumably a shipborne HPM system against UAVs or a directional acoustic weapon (yigal_levin).

• Changsha Nighthawk is completing tests of the SkyX amphibious UAV ("flying fish") — underwater speed up to 50 km/h (analogs — 6 km/h), flight time up to 1 hour; potential for reconnaissance of coastal zones and port infrastructure (china3army).

• Anduril has confirmed deliveries of loitering munitions to Taiwan and participation in building air defense for the island's critical infrastructure — the goal, according to founder Palmer Luckey, is not to win a war but to raise the cost of a PLA amphibious operation to an unacceptable level (china3army).

• Taiwan is moving to the American RDSP (Rapid Decision and Synchronization Process) command model — decentralization of decision-making at the battalion/brigade level, being practiced in the Han Kuang 42 exercise together with the ATAK system for a single information space (china3army).

• China and Belarus have begun the joint airborne exercise Shenying-2026 — the program includes the use of and counter-UAV operations, and the formation of mixed units (china3army).

Top defense-tech signals of the day

1. ↗14 · 👁389 · @china3army — 🇨🇳🇧🇾 China and Belarus have begun joint training of elite units In Chi…
2. ↗78 · 👁2178 · @china3army — 🚁🇨🇳 Promising drone developments in the PRC Chinese company Changsha Nighthaw…
3. ↗20 · 👁663 · @mil_hub — 🚀 ROMASHKA 0.8 — UPDATE "Romashka" is a program for finding objects in video f…
4. ↗47 · 👁1664 · @payloadUAV — 💣A 32-page review: how exactly the wing of glide bombs deploys - sprin…
5. ↗243 · 👁8621 · @UAVDEV — The result of a laser's effect on the skin of a Liutyi (I won't say the power, it's a secret). What…
6. ↗64 · 👁2295 · @payloadUAV — Researchers gained full access to a Ubiquiti airMAX radio bridge from almost two k…
7. ↗8 · 👁324 · @theaterVD — 🛳🇺🇸 The US Navy is developing a modification of the Virginia Block V submarine for seabed op…
8. ↗939 · 👁38283 · @infantmilitario — A curious assessment of the effectiveness of Ukrainian UAV strikes on the Moscow region: R…
9. ↗23 · 👁984 · @RussianArms — ❗️⚡️The American 155-mm precision-guided Sceptre shell (TRBM 155HG) from Tiberius Aer…
10. ↗16 · 👁712 · @battle_technic — An interesting remote-controlled turret, as one option for the evoluti…